Moriarty’s Baked Apples | Sherlock

Can you believe there’s less than a week until the start of Sherlock series 4?! And since a new series of Sherlock is literally as rare as a blue moon, I couldn’t pass up this chance to concoct a special dessert. This dish is inspired by everyone’s favorite consulting criminal, Jim Moriarty. Stuffed with gingerbread and chocolate, these tender baked apples are a peculiarly delightful combination of sweet, tart, and spicy. Simple to make, Moriarty’s Baked Apples are the perfect treat for marathoning Sherlock or a fun dessert to make for a premier party.

Let’s face it, we all really do miss Moriarty at least a teency bit. And we’re all dying to know if he really is dead.

Who can forget the foreboding meeting between Sherlock and Moriarty over a cup of tea in “The Reichenbach Fall”, or the sinister “IOU” Moriarty carved in an apple? There are few things more fairy tale than a “poisoned” apple.

Speaking of fairy tales, “The Reichenbach Fall” features quite a few references to another of the Grimm’s Fairy Tales: “Hansel and Gretel”. And a lot of those references come in the form of food as well. Like the wicked witch, Moriarty feeds the kidnapped children candy, in this case chocolate laced with mercury. Later, he sends Sherlock a parcel with a gingerbread man that’s been “burnt to a crisp”, just like the witch. Throw all these good, old-fashioned flavors together (minus the mercury, of course) and you’ve got a dessert worthy of a good, old-fashioned villain.

Instructions

Carefully remove the core of the apples from the top down, but do not cut clear through to the bottom of the apples. Leave a little bit of the bottom intact, otherwise the filling will leak out while baking.

Use a paring knife to carefully carve "IOU" on the face of each apple.

Use a spoon to divide the gingerbread and chocolate mixture into 4 even sections. Stuff each apple with the mixture.

Place the stuffed apples in a baking pan. Pour the apple juice in the bottom of the baking pan, making sure you don't pour the juice over the apples.

Bake the apples for 40-50 minutes, or until tender.

Allow the apples to cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a plate. Serve with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Once your apples are stuffed and ready to go, all you have to do is burn the heart out of them, I mean bake them for 40-50 minutes.

They may not be the prettiest baked apples in the world, but they are quite possibly the tastiest. When the apples bake, the chocolate and gingerbread get all warm and gooey like cookie dough. And who doesn’t like eating cookie dough, especially with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream?!

What’s your favorite episode of Sherlock? Let me know in the comments below! Balance of probability indicates that if you liked this post, you’ll share it with your friends on social media, but only if you’re a high-functioning sociopath.

Great post, I love your detailed descriptions a pictures. Very nice! Hey, is it your birthday today? Kent has your name on the calendar, so we’re thinking it’s your birthday. If so, we wish you a happy, happy day and keep up the good work on your blog!!!